Boys Basketball: Sterns, Dlugie share spotlight in Highland Park’s OT win over Deerfield
BY MARK PERLMAN Contributor February 8, 2012 2:48PM
Danny Dlugie of the Giants scores and draws a foul during Friday's overtime win over Deerfield. Dlugie hit the game-winning three-pointer. | Morgan Glier~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 17, 2012 8:08AM
Fans will likely focus on Danny Dlugie’s dramatic, game-winning three-pointer with 2.3 seconds left in Highland Park’s 37-35 overtime win at Deerfield Friday night.
But in reaching that juncture, the Giants needed plenty of other things to fall their way — and Josh Sterns made sure they would.
The senior scored 10 points, to go along with four rebounds and three steals, to help keep the game close. Midway through the fourth quarter, Sterns stole the ball and drove in for a lay-up to put Highland Park ahead 27-23, while also contributing a key rebound late in the contest.
“Josh has been doing that all year for us,” said Highland Park coach Paul Harris. “He is a diligent worker.”
Sterns sank two three-pointers, something that was commonplace for him most of the season, but not in recent games.
“I’ve been slumping lately. I know that,” Sterns said. “I’ve gone back to watch film to see what I’ve been doing wrong.”
Sterns credits Harris for his recent turnaround.
“Coach has been pushing me in practice … telling me I’m a good shooter and to keep shooting,” Sterns said.
Harris certainly wasn’t worried about the mini-slump.
“In the course of a season, there’s going to be some ups and downs,” Harris said.
Minutes into the first quarter, Sterns rose up and hit a three-pointer for a 6-1 Giants lead.
“When I got that one, I knew I was back,” Sterns said. “I made a couple of shots and got my confidence back. Shooting is so mental, especially for me.”
His teammates never doubted him.
“Josh has been great all year,” Dlugie said. “He gets open and we trust him. We know he’s going to make the right decision.”
Dlugie’s game-winning three-pointer came off an inbounds pass from Jake Norcia, after the Giants (14-10, 5-4) set a double screen.
“I was open and I was ready to shoot,” Dlugie said. “I’m happy I made one for the team.”
Dlugie had only one other basket in the game, finishing with five points on 2-for-6 shooting from the field. But he hit the shot that counted.
“Danny shot it with confidence,” Harris said.
Dlugie left the opposition impressed as well.
“It was a great basketball game — a great environment and a great rivalry,” said Deerfield coach JJ Pearl. “The kid (Dlugie) made a big shot. Give him a lot of credit.”
The decisive shot might not have come if it weren’t for consecutive offensive rebounds by Sterns and Ross Chukerman to keep the final offensive position alive.
Neither team enjoyed more than a four point advantage after the first quarter. Harris summed up the intense competition between the neighboring rivals.
“Two teams laying it on the line with bodies flying all over,” Harris said.
In addition to Dlugie’s heroics, there were plenty of other key contributors for the Giants. Norcia scored 11 points. Chukerman had four assists and three steals. Wes Kinard registered seven points, including a three-pointer with 2:47 left to give the Giants a 30-26 lead in regulation.
Ti Greenberg added four points, two assists and a steal.
“Ti gave us some big minutes. He did a nice job on both ends of the floor,” Harris said. “He’s stepped up when we’ve had some injuries and he’s really made a difference for us.”
The Giants have now played in five overtime games, winning three.
The Giants will have the opportunity to face Deerfield for a third time, when the teams meet in the Rolling Meadows Regional at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27. The winner will face No. 2-seeded St. Viator 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28.
“We’re going to see (Deerfield) again in the regional, and that’s a scary thought, because they’re a good team,” Harris said.
Recap: Highland Park trailed Niles West 21-8 at halftime in Skokie on Saturday. Although the Giants fought back to tie the score at 33-33, Niles West hit a three-pointer with 30 seconds left. Sterns and Norcia missed game-tying three-pointers in the final 10 seconds, and HP fell 36-33.
Norcia had 14 points (6-for-11 from the field), six steals and four assists. Chukerman contributed five points and four steals. Sterns, Dlugie and Kinard each had four points. Highland Park was 0-for-16 from three-point range.
Led by Norcia’s 17 points, the Giants defeated visiting Lake Forest Academy 54-51 on Feb. 7.
The Giants received 12 points from Dlugie, while Chukerman finished with nine points and 14 rebounds. Sterns scored five points to go along with seven assists.
LFA (7-11) was led by Kori Babineaux (29 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals). Faith Ekakitie had eight points and five rebounds.
On the schedule: Highland Park will conclude the CSL North season on the road against Maine West at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
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